Shipping and storage assembly for an airplane auxiliary power unit

Abstract

A shipping and storage stand for an airplane auxiliary power unit (APU) comprises a support stand assembly that is secured to a rectangular heavy-duty plastic crate. The crate lid is removeable, and the sides can be folded down or removed for APU access. The embodied support stand assembly holds an airplane APU by the designed lift points. The support stand assembly is placed within and bolted to a rectangular crate. The support stand assembly includes an engine cradle frame and shock isolators connected to an anchor frame. The outer crate provides two high stacking. A moisture and dust bag is included for long term storage.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A shipping support apparatus for an airplane auxiliary power unit (APU) having three lifting points comprising:
 A) a support stand assembly comprising:
 a) a rectangular shaped cradle base frame, 
 b) three lifting point assemblies connected to said cradle base frame, 
 c) each of said three lifting point assemblies is an assembly selection from the group consisting of:
 i) a yoke assembly, said yoke assembly further comprising:
 a horizontal member connected to two vertical members, 
 said vertical members connected to said cradle base frame, 
 attaching hardware connected to said horizontal member, and 
 said attaching hardware positioned and configured to connect to one of said lifting points, 
 and 
 
 ii) a horizontal support assembly, said horizontal support assembly further comprising:
 a vertical structural support attached to said cradle base frame, 
 a shaft clamp attached to said vertical structural support, 
 a sliding shaft positioned inside said shaft clamp, 
 attaching hardware connected to an end of said sliding shaft, 
 at least one locking bolt configured and positioned on said shaft clamp to prevent movement of said sliding shaft, and 
 said attaching hardware positioned and configured to connect to one of said lifting points, 
 
 
 
 B) a rectangular anchor frame connected to said cradle base frame by a plurality of shock isolators, 
 C) said rectangular anchor frame having a plurality of anchor plates, 
 D) a rectangular crate, said anchor plates positioned to connect to said rectangular crate, 
 E) said support stand assembly and said rectangular anchor frame fit dimensionally inside said rectangular crate, 
 F) whereby said support stand assembly is operable to support said APU by said lifting points, said APU is supported by said shock isolators, and said APU fits inside said rectangular crate. 
 
     
     
       2. The shipping and storage stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said APU is surrounded with a moisture and dust proof bag. 
     
     
       3. The shipping and storage stand according to  claim 2 , wherein said moisture and dust proof bag additionally surrounds said cradle base frame. 
     
     
       4. The shipping and storage stand according to  claim 1 , wherein each said shock isolator is connected to said rectangular anchor frame by a pair of flanges. 
     
     
       5. A method preparing an airplane auxiliary power unit (APU) having an aft lifting point and a plurality of forward lifting points for storage or shipment comprising:
 A) preparing:
 a) a support stand assembly comprising:
 i) a rectangular shaped cradle base frame, 
 ii) three lifting point assemblies connected to said cradle base frame,
 i) 
 
 iii) each of said three lifting point assemblies comprising an assembly selection from the group consisting of:
 I) a yoke assembly, said yoke assembly further comprising: 
  a horizontal member connected to two vertical members, 
  said vertical members connected to said cradle base frame, 
  attaching hardware connected to said horizontal member, and 
  said attaching hardware positioned and configured to connect to one of said lifting points, 
 and 
 II) a horizontal support assembly, said horizontal support further comprising: 
  a vertical structural support attached to said cradle base frame, 
  a shaft clamp attached to said vertical structural support, 
  a sliding shaft positioned inside said shaft clamp, 
  attaching hardware connected to an end of said sliding shaft, 
  at least one locking bolt configured and positioned on said shaft clamp to prevent movement of said sliding shaft, and 
  said attaching hardware positioned and configured to connect to one of said lifting points, 
 
 
 b) a rectangular anchor frame connected to said cradle base frame by a plurality of shock isolators, 
 c) said rectangular anchor frame having a plurality of anchor plates, 
 d) a rectangular crate, said anchor plates positioned to connect to said rectangular crate, 
 e) said support stand assembly and said rectangular anchor frame fit dimensionally inside said rectangular crate, 
 
 B) connecting said APU to said support stand assembly at said plurality of lifting points, 
 C) positioning said APU connected to said support stand assembly inside said rectangular crate, 
 D) closing said rectangular crate with said APU connected to said support stand assembly positioned therein, 
 E) whereby said support stand assembly holds said APU by said three lifting points, said APU is supported by shock isolators, and said APU is prepared for shipping. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said APU is surrounded with a moisture and dust proof bag. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said moisture and dust proof bag additionally surrounds said cradle base frame. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein each said shock isolator is connected to said rectangular anchor frame by a pair of flanges.